Holt taking small steps in Red Sox comeback

Wednesday

Utility man Brock Holt went through a workout on the field at Camden Yards as he attempts to return from right eye and right shoulder injuries.

BALTIMORE -- Brock Holt was back in a Red Sox uniform Wednesday afternoon.

Boston’s utility man went through a pregame workout on the field at Camden Yards as he attempts to return from right eye and right shoulder injuries. Holt was working his way back from a scratched cornea when team medical staff discovered an impingement in his throwing arm that forced him to be pulled back from a second rehab assignment.

Holt has appeared in just two games with Triple-A Pawtucket, the last coming on April 26 at Rochester. His six at-bats on that occasion included a hit and three walks in a 17-5 victory, but difficulty playing catch the following day forced Holt back to Boston for further evaluation.

“Once the eye healed we thought I could go out and DH for a few games and get the shoulder feeling right for me to be able to play,” Holt said. “It just wasn’t working out that way.”

Holt took ground balls at shortstop and hit in the batting cage prior to the series finale with the Orioles. He’ll join the Red Sox contingent visiting the White House on Thursday and return to Boston for at least one more workout with the team on Friday.

“Friday he’ll be with us again and we’ll see where he’s at,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “It seems like he’s progressing. Obviously he’s still on a throwing program.”

Holt confirmed he had a cortisone shot in his shoulder. As he noted, serving as the designated hitter upon his return with the Red Sox won’t be an option. J.D. Martinez takes up the bulk of the at-bats in that spot, and he’s not leaving the lineup anytime soon.

“I’ve got to be able to throw the baseball,” Holt said. “I’ve got to be able to throw it further than 10 feet, and I wasn’t able to do that.”

Infield options: The potential return of two infielders has Cora thinking about different ways to include Michael Chavis.

The rookie has settled at second base in the early going, bashing six home runs and totaling a 1.065 OPS in 17 games. Chavis is athletic enough to potentially take on a new position, and Cora is flirting with the idea of potentially having Chavis see some action in the outfield.

“There’s a lot of people coming back healthy and we’ve got to look for options,” Cora said. “It’s nothing that he’s working at, but it would be good for him to stand there and see the flight of the ball. He’s never done it before.”

Chavis spent batting practice the last two days with first-base coach Tom Goodwin, a former outfielder who spent 1,288 games and 14 seasons in the big leagues from 1991 to 2004.

Chavis was out of the lineup on Wednesday, resetting while in the midst of an 0-for-11 skid at the plate.

“He’s been swinging the bat well,” Cora said. “That’s something we can’t ignore. He’s putting good at-bats. The more options, the better.”

Pedroia update: Dustin Pedroia (left knee) was scratched from the lineup at Double-A Portland on Tuesday night due to wet field conditions. He was scheduled to play second base on Wednesday and serve as the designated hitter on Thursday for the Sea Dogs, who are in the midst of a home series at Hadlock Field.

Boston wants to see Pedroia play at least three consecutive games on his rehab assignment before it considers activating him off the injured list. Cora confirmed Pedroia could be in line to take the field again on Friday when Portland starts a three-game weekend series at Trenton.

Injury update: David Price (left elbow tendinitis) played catch again on Wednesday as he looks to limit his stay on the injured list.

The pitcher could be on the field Friday prior to the start of a three-game series with the Mariners at Fenway Park. Brian Johnson (left elbow) is also in line for a second simulated game or possible start to a rehab assignment over the weekend. Right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (right elbow) had stitches removed follow arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his throwing elbow.

None of those three players will take part in the action against Seattle, with Eduardo Rodriguez scheduled to start on Friday and Rick Porcello taking the ball on Saturday. Cora declined to name a starter for Sunday, but Hector Velazquez, Josh Smith and Ryan Weber could be among the candidates for spot duty.

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